After-market, kit for monitoring motorcycle and vehicle turn signal indicators

ABSTRACT

This invention is a monitoring system in a kit form to retrofit motorcycles or other vehicles that do not have self-canceling turn signals and as an aid to the hearing impaired. After the kit is installed, whenever the turn signals are activated, the monitoring system creates a vibration in the operator&#39;s seat, alerting the operator that the indicators are in an active state. This also allows the operator to keep their eyes on the road. When the signals are deactivated, the monitoring system stops vibrating. The vibrating portion of the monitoring system is also coated to protect it from the elements.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to turn signal indicators in vehicles, especially towards using an indicator device that vibrates.

BACKGROUND ART

The long-felt need of this invention is also discussed in two other patents: Method and apparatus of a vibratory indicator for use in vehicles, U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,321 by Karell and Adjustable Delay Turn Signal Reminder Device for Mounting on a Motorcycle and the Like, U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,255 by Shanahan. The Karell patent is very general and wide scope in nature and use and it's only similarity, like this invention, discusses a vibrating device in a seat. The Karell patent also adds sensing, logic, timer and wireless devices to alert the operator that a circuit is still active and does not solely specify it's use for our application. The Shanahan patent discusses a timer adjustable delay mechanism and an indicator that is strictly just audiovisual in nature to alert the operator.

Another inventor, Fukuoka, U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,370, discusses a vibrating seat as a means of awakening the driver from falling asleep at the wheel and this too is beyond the scope of this invention.

The current inventor, Danowski also has attempted to describe a similar device in a provisional patent, 60/476824, since abandoned. This invention also attempted to describe a vibrating device, but did not cover the additional features of instructions for consumers nor did it include a web site to supply additional information

While the device portion of the kit in this application is much simpler in design, its overall scope is much broader in that it includes installation instruction for consumers and a web site for further assistance. This invention is intended for the specific use in a motorcycle or vehicle that does not have self-canceling turn signal indicators and as an aid to the hearing impaired to be used in any vehicle. The vibrating portion of this device is installed in the operators' seat and wired directly into the turn indicator circuit. By making this available in kit form, it allows the customers to do the installation themselves. It should also be noted that both the Karell and the Shanahan devices are designed to be installed by skilled persons not consumers. This kit is designed to be consumer friendly.

The only additional equipment either possibly required or optional is as follows. A toggle switch for disabling the device altogether. A small relay wired to the brake circuit that would temporarily disable the device while the brakes are used. A small relay or diodes may be needed to isolate the circuit to insure proper operation in some vehicles, dependent on their particular electrical wiring. Any additional equipment would be included with the kit. The vibrating device has also been designed to be weatherproof for operational reliability in inclement conditions. The main purpose of this design is to be sold as an after-market add-on safety device that is inexpensive and easy to install.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Most motorcycles and many vehicles in use today on the roads do not have self-canceling turn signal indicators. That is, the turn indicator continues to flash once activated by the operator and will continue to do so until said operator remembers to deactivate it. While there may already be lights on the vehicle's speedometer or dashboard to alert the operator that the signals are active, they require the operator to dangerously take his or her eyes off the road and look down long enough to notice them. Taking ones eyes off the road for even an instant while in motion at any speed is usually considered quite dangerous. This also applies to a hearing impaired person who can not hear the audible tones made by any vehicle and is even more dependent on their use of sight alone to properly operate the vehicle. In these situations, if the turn signal indicators remain on, the intentions of the vehicle operator become uncertain to other people and can quickly lead to an unsafe condition. This system can be said to fill a long felt need as a retrofit means of effectively monitoring the status and operation of turn signal indicators in these specific applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a kit consisting of a vibrating device that is placed in the operator's seat or backrest of the vehicle in question. The vibrating device is connected to the turn indicators by wires in an arrangement so that when the turn indicator is activated, the vibrating device is also activated and operates in an on/off fashion while the turn signals are active. The kit also contains detailed instructions as to the placement of the vibrating portion in the seat and detailed instructions as how to connect the wiring portion to the turn indicator circuitry. Once installed, this is a constant reminder to the operator that the directional signal is on and reminds the operator to cancel it when it is no longer needed. In the current design of this kit, the vibrating device consists of a 12-volt D.C. electric motor fitted with an offset brass weight on its shaft. The assembly is inserted into a tubular housing by either being pressed, glued or heat-sealed in place. The ends are then capped and sealed with only the power wiring coming out of one end. Weatherproofing is achieved by dipping the assembly in a rubberized plastic coating or other suitable coating which seals the entire unit. Other secondary end-caps may be placed over the ends for increased sealing and protection. The power wiring has a quick disconnect fitting so the seat or device can be easily removed and the final end of the power wiring is left stripped for ease of attachment to the vehicle's wiring harness. The addition of a switch, relay or diodes in the wiring circuit is only needed on some applications. Their purpose is to negate the possibility of a voltage feed-through between the left and right directional circuits or to provide this assembly with the ability to operate in its own isolated circuit or to be turned off. There is also the option of a relay that would temporarily disable the device while the brakes are applied so the operator is not constantly reminded while stopping, stopped and waiting to turn.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. One shows the vibrating device in detail.

The 12 volt electric motor 1, is fitted with an offset weight 2 to produce a vibrating action when the motor is energized such as from the voltage of an activated flashing turn signal indicator. The motor and weight are placed in a tube shaped housing 3, and sealed with a solid end cap 4 and an end cap with an aperture 5 so that the multi-conductor electric wire 6 can exit the housing 3. These wires 6 are prevented from separating from the housing 3 and motor 1 by a wire lock 7. The multi-conductor electric wire may also have quick connectors 8, to allow for removal of the seat or the device. The entire housing assembly is dipped in a weatherproof coating 9, to seal the assembly.

FIG. Two is the drawing of the invention and showing how to connect it to the vehicle.

FIG. Three is the drawing of the invention and showing how to connect it with the brake light relay 10 added.

FIG. Four is the drawing of the invention and showing how to connect it with isolation diodes 11 added.

FIG. Five is the drawing of the invention and showing how to connect it with both relay 10 and diodes 11 added. 

1. I claim a monitoring system in kit form, for use on motorcycles or vehicles with non-canceling turn signal indicators and as an aide for the hearing impaired, consisting of: a. a vibrating portion constructed of a 12 volt electric motor affixed with on off-center weight on it's shaft and enclosed in a plastic or metal tube type housing b. an end closure portion consisting of plastic or metal caps at each end of the housing, one of the caps has a small opening to allow the electric wire harness to pass through c. an electric wire harness portion connected to the electric motor and the free end made ready for direct connection to the turn indicator circuits d. a male/female type quick-disconnect device placed in the electric harness to allow easy removal of the seat or device from the vehicle e. a final step of dipping the assembled and wired vibrating motor with tube and end caps in weatherproof coating f. detailed instructions on how to affix the vibrating portion to the operator's seat of the vehicle g. detailed instructions on how to connect the electric harness portion to the wiring of the vehicle's turn signal indicator circuits h. an internet site to provide information and support, receive orders and interact with the customer
 2. I claim a monitoring system in kit form as describe in claim 1 with the following modifications and options available either separately or in combination: a. a toggle switch added in the circuit to disable the system if needed b. a relay triggered by the brake circuit to disable the system only while the brakes are being used c. diodes or relays to be used in order to maintain the possible, necessary, circuit isolation of this device in some vehicles 